Should I get euros before going to Croatia?

If you don't obtain Euros in advance, taking your 'home' currency (e.g. UK Pounds or U.S. Dollars) to Croatia and changing it there will not result in any problems. They are easy to exchange for Euros in the country, although other currencies can of course be changed too.



Since Croatia officially adopted the Euro (€) as its national currency on January 1, 2023, you absolutely need euros for your 2026 trip. While you can obtain them before you leave, most financial experts recommend a "digital-first" strategy. Croatia is increasingly cashless, and using a travel-friendly debit card (like Wise or Revolut) at a local bank-owned ATM upon arrival usually yields a better exchange rate than buying physical cash at a home-country airport. However, carrying some "emergency" physical euros is essential, as many small coastal "konobas" (taverns), local markets, and public toilets still operate on a cash-only basis. If you have leftover "Kuna" from a pre-2023 trip, they can no longer be used for payment, though some national banks may still exchange them. For 2026, your best bet is to rely on your card for hotels and dinners while keeping about €50–€100 in small denominations for the daily island-hopping expenses.

People Also Ask

How Much Cash Should I Bring? We recommend bringing 800-1000 USD per person for an 8-10 day trip.

MORE DETAILS

This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €700 to €1700 for spending money for one week in Europe.

MORE DETAILS

Currency exchange shops and kiosks in airports are not the best places to exchange money. For the best rates, try a local bank or a bank ATM to make your currency exchanges. Check to see if your U.S. bank offers foreign ATM fee refunds for using a foreign ATM.

MORE DETAILS

Currency exchange shops and kiosks in airports are not the best places to exchange money. For the best rates, try a local bank or a bank ATM to make your currency exchanges. Check to see if your U.S. bank offers foreign ATM fee refunds for using a foreign ATM.

MORE DETAILS

Buy currency before you travel. Doing so gives you time to shop around for the best rate. Plus, when you arrive, you won't have to immediately find a bank or currency exchange. Do some research ahead of time to see if US dollars are widely accepted at places you plan to go to.

MORE DETAILS

Tipping etiquette in Croatian restaurants follows a fairly standard guideline. Showing appreciation through a tip is always welcomed. When dining at a pizzeria or konoba, a tip of 5% or more is appropriate. For a nice restaurant dinner, we recommend leaving a tip of 10% or more.

MORE DETAILS

Costs of Food and Drink in Croatia For context, a meal in a typical fast-food restaurant will be around USD / EUR €8-10 per person. Average prices for restaurant and bar drinks are equally competitive. A 500ml glass of draught beer will be around US$5.

MORE DETAILS

Travellers to Spain from outside the European Union (EU), have to produce proof that they have enough cash to support themselves for the entirety of the trip., Tourists are required to have at least 100 euros or $110 for each day of vacationing in Spain along with 900 euros or $984 for possible emergencies.

MORE DETAILS

US dollars: I carry $100–200 as a backup. While you won't use it for day-to-day purchases, American cash in your money belt comes in handy for emergencies, such as when banks go on strike or your ATM card stops working. I've been in Greece and Ireland when every bank went on strike, shutting down without warning.

MORE DETAILS

Croatia is more expensive than some of its neighboring Balkan countries, however compared to much of Western Europe it is seen as an affordable tourist destination. Like a lot of Mediterranean countries, Croatia can be more expensive in tourist hotspots and along the coast in areas such as Split and Dubrovnik.

MORE DETAILS